In 2003, the ARRL reorganized the field service operation designating NTS to provide formal messaging for ARES. To my knowledge this relationship has never been developed according to plan. One of the recurring issues in communications is interoperability problems between public service agencies. NTS could serve as a master liaison between any and all such agencies.
NTS operators should seek to establish a presence on local public service nets as a liaison to the NTS. If enough liaison relationships are established, NTS should be able to relay between just about any public service agency. An NTS presence on these net may also serve as a training opportunity and could lead to recruitment of additional NTS operators.
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